ALAT Chapter 9 - AZ Branch AALAS Homepage
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Transcript ALAT Chapter 9 - AZ Branch AALAS Homepage
Chapter Nine
Facility Equipment
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Facility Equipment
Specialized equipment = cage racks, floor
scrubbers, autoclaves, vacuum cleaners and
cage washers
a large capital expense in the operating budget
It is important that animal technicians learn the
appropriate care and use for each piece of
equipment.
When equipment fails to operate properly, it must
be immediately taken out of use.
The failure can then be reported to the appropriate
manager and the equipment repaired or replaced as
quickly as possible.
Caging
Depends on nature of research & husbandry
Safe cages have smooth surfaces with no jagged
edges, broken wire rungs or rust.
Escape-proof & well ventilated to maintain
environment
Poorly ventilated cages - water and urine may
soak animals and increase humidity.
Dirt and waste deposits collect cracks & crevices.
Proper cage design permits safe handling of
animals & protects animal handlers.
Caging Materials
Stainless steel
smooth, durable, no rust &
is impervious to descalers
expensive, but durability offsets high price
Aluminum
weighs less than stainless steel but is less durable
Galvanized steel, iron, & wood
not suitable caging materials
rust & don’t stand up to most chemical cleaners
wood - rough, splintery surface, difficult to sanitize
sealed w/ epoxy paint is more easily sanitized, but does not
stand up to high wash temps or scrubbing
Plastic Caging Materials
Polystyrene
melts or warps at wash temp, moderate strength
used for single use disposable rodent caging
Polypropylene
holds up at high wash temperatures but is
opaque
non-transparent may be preferable for solitary
species
Polycarbonate
high impact strength, transparent, holds up at
high temps
Plastics do not rust, their surfaces are
smooth, & they are impervious to chemical
cleaners
Shoebox Rodent Cages
Solid-bottomed plastic or stainless steel cage
Contact bedding is generally used.
The water bottle and feeder are easily visible.
Microisolation systems > control of environment
Micro-Isolator™ has own filter top to limit air
exchange between room & cage interior.
May sit on standard rack, or ventilated rack.
Procedures inside hooded, ventilated workbench.
feeding, watering, cage changing & manipulations
(Images) Microisolator Changing Hood
Micro-Isolator™
Courtesy of Lab Products, Inc.
Suspended Cage
Systems
Have perforated or solid bottom
Wastes drop through bottom into collection pan.
routinely emptied and cleaned
Flooring can injure or irritate animals’ feet & legs.
Plastic-coated mesh and bars reduce irritation & provide a
warmer, more comfortable surface.
Smooth metal floors are comfortable alternative.
May have individual lids, or suspended on runners which
enable shelves to serve as lids.
Wire mesh cages better ventilation than solid.
Newborns fall through wire; direct contact w/ metal draws heat
away from animals’ bodies.
Front-Opening & Metabolism Cages
Front-Opening Cages
Available as individual or multiple-cage rack
Bar or wire mesh flooring w/ collection trays
Feeders & bottle holders attach to cage door.
Rabbits, cats, dogs & primates usually housed in frontopening cages.
Metabolism cages designed to separate urine &
feces for specimen collection.
frequently & carefully hand cleaned
prevent feed & water from mixing with specimens
powdered feed helps prevent dropping into collection
drinking valve outside cage to avoid contamination of
collected urine sample
Two Types of Mouse Metabolism Cages
Gang Cages
House groups of same animal species
Resting boards or perches make better use of
space.
Bedding on the cage floor depends on species.
Feed and water offered in >1 location to avoid
food hoarding by dominant animals.
Cats, primates & sheep
Introducing/creating
group may result in
fighting.
Make careful
observation of group.
Transport Cages
Shipping cartons - temporary
transport housing
Moist mash, fresh fruits or
vegetables can be source of moisture.
AWA regulates shipment of certain species, such
as guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, cats, dogs &
nonhuman primates.
Regulations cover shipping carton construction, space
requirements, documentation, feed & water schedules.
Transport cages within a facility
Feed, water & bedding usually not required, since
animals only in cage for a short time.
If transporting in public areas, advisable to use
covering.
Runs or Pens
Runs or pens are used for larger animals.
Large enclosures usually with waterproof
flooring & often with a resting area elevated
above floor
Floor slopes to aid drainage of water and urine
away from housing & feeding areas.
Surfaces should be easy to clean and sanitize.
When built outdoors, pens & runs must also
include shelter from inclement weather.
Pens and runs are commonly used to house
dogs, sheep, pigs and goats.
Feeding & Watering Accessories
Pelleted feed held in slotted V-shaped feeders in
cage lids or in feeders clipped onto cages.
J-shaped feeders used for smaller sized pelleted
rabbit and guinea pig feed.
Feed & water bowls on floor used for dogs &
cats.
Suspended or detachable feeders that keep feed
off the floor help eliminate contamination.
Water - glass or plastic bottles, stainless steel or
rubber bowls, pails or automatic watering system
Bottles or bowls to monitor amount consumed
Some types of medications administered in water.
(Image) Watering and Feeding Devices
Automatic Watering
Eliminates work associated with water bottles.
Water through piping to animal area, where
pressure is reduced to suitable levels.
Pressure reducing station
has 1 - 2 pressure regulators
filters out particulates from the water supply
Water then passes into room distribution system
to direct water to cage rack
Retractable recoil hoses tie room system with animal
cage rack manifold system.
Designed to pipe water to each cage and provide a direct
source of water via a drinking valve device.
2 Pressure Water Flow
(Images) Automatic
Automatic
Reduction
Station
1
Treatment
Tanks
4
Sipper
Water
Flow
3 Recoil
Hose
Automatic Watering II
Individual valves must be checked regularly.
Clogged or leaking valves should be replaced
immediately or identified as nonfunctional.
Check pressure station gauges daily.
Flush to reduce accumulation of microorganisms.
Some facilities use chemicals such as chlorine to
sanitize water systems.
It may be necessary to provide newly received
animals with water bottles until they learn to use
the automatic watering system.
Rabbits often require several days to adjust.
An animal that is thirsty will not eat.
Cage Wash Equipment
Cabinet washers - loaded & sanitized in chamber
Washer goes through washing & rinsing cycles followed
by a drying cycle.
Rack washers are large versions of cabinet
washers - racks of caging directly rolled in.
single door or pass-through
Tunnel cage washer is like a commercial car wash.
carries equipment through washer on a conveyor belt
series of stations wash, rinse & dry
Cage wash controls permit temp control, timing of
cycles, detergent addition & emergency shutoff.
also have monitoring and/or recording gauges
(Images) Scenes From Cage Wash
Cage Wash Equipment II
Cleaning filters & spray valves
ensure that spray valves do
not become plugged.
Experienced specialists examine & service
motors, gaskets & electrical components.
Check timers & gauges daily to ensure
equipment is properly sanitized.
Some facilities use pressurized steam cleaners to
complement initial hand cleaning of cages.
When no cage washers are available, these cleaners
may be primary method for cage sanitation in
conjunction with disinfectants and detergents.
(Images) Cage Wash Equipment
Balances
Technicians may weigh animals, obtain body
temperatures or take other measurements.
Capacity of a scale or balance refers to max.
weight device can measure accurately.
Accuracy of a balance refers to degree
measured weight = actual weight.
An efficient balance allows small weight
increments to be distinguished with accuracy.
Speed and ease of operation important in
choosing the balance best suited for a
particular job.
Top-loading balances are most common.
Balances II
Triple-beam & double-pan for smaller species.
Large species platform scales read weight
directly, similar to a home bathroom scale.
Some are designed so animal is restrained.
Top-loading balances w/ digital readouts.
Pan weight set at zero automatically to eliminate
weight of restrainers before measuring animal.
Some models provide printout.
Electronic balances can input data to a computer.
Cleaning scales after each use is important to
prevent transmission of disease & prevent dirt &
hair accumulation from affecting scale operation.
Additional Reading
Poole, Trevor (ed.). The UFAW Handbook on the
Care and Management of Laboratory Animals,
6th. Ed. Longman Scientific and Technical,
Essex, England. 1987
Rollin, Bernard E., and M. Lynne Kesel (ed.). The
Experimental Animal in Biomedical Research.
Volume II: Care, Husbandry and Well-Being —
An Overview By Species. CRC Press, Boca
Raton, FL. 1992